04/18/16

Monday, April 18, 2016

Cookies or chips? Kids' choices may predict weight gain

The results of a new study suggest some people may be hard-wired to like sugary foods

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/toddlers-sweet-tooth-may-predict-weight-gain-study/

Many Breast Cancer Patients May Not Need Chemo

Genetic test can help doctors determine who can safely avoid treatment after surgery

From: http://www.webmd.com/news/20160418/many-breast-cancer-patients-may-not-need-chemo-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Does the full moon make kids hyper?

The idea that the moon has an effect on people's behavior goes back to ancient times

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/does-the-full-moon-make-kids-hyper-heres-what-science-says/

Doctors May Order Too Many Neck Artery Scans

Uncertain results can prompt surgery that some experts feel is unnecessary and risky

From: http://www.webmd.com/stroke/news/20160418/doctors-may-be-ordering-too-many-neck-artery-scans-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Research with Navajo Nation on Smoke-Free policies

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsBT9_0zpDc

Story by Story Episode 3: Pharmacogenomics

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FsT4yNmtoAY

Connecticut teen forced into chemo suffers new health issue

Teenage girl who went to court to fight chemo is now old enough to make her own treatment decisions

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/connecticut-teen-forced-into-chemo-suffers-new-health-issue/

Mayo Clinic Minute: Should You Take Statins?

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcMDokM_jtQ

Drug Seems to Extend Advanced Melanoma Survival

One-third of study participants lived 5 years or more after starting treatment

From: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20160418/drug-seems-to-extend-survival-for-advanced-melanoma-patients?src=RSS_PUBLIC

USDA Seeks Applications for Nearly $12 Million in Broadband Grants for Rural Communities

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2016 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is soliciting applications for grants to establish broadband in unserved rural communities through its Community Connect program. Community Connect is administered by USDA’s Rural Utilities Service and helps to fund broadband deployment into rural communities where it is not economically viable for private sector providers to provide service.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0092.xml&contentidonly=true

Mystery outbreak: 5 things to know about Elizabethkingia

The rare bacteria has infected dozens of people and has been linked with at least 20 deaths, officials say

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/mysterious-outbreak-5-things-to-know-about-elizabethkingia-bacteria/

A simple asthma blood test may be in the works

Scientists report a new discovery that could lead to an easier way of diagnosing asthma

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/asthma-blood-test-may-be-in-the-works/

Generic Hep C Drugs as Effective as Pricey Ones

Inexpensive antivirals could be a game-changer in many countries, researchers say

From: http://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/news/20160416/generic-hepatitis-c-drugs-as-effective-as-pricey-brand-names-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Does very early breast cancer need surgery?

Some doctors advocate a "wait and watch" approach, but a new study suggests that's not enough

From: http://www.cbsnews.com/news/does-very-early-breast-cancer-need-surgery/

How to Juggle Meals, Insulin, and Your Diabetes

If you take multiple insulin doses each day, meal planning can be a challenge. WebMD shares how you can overcome it.

From: http://www.webmd.com/diabetes/features/insulin-meal-plans?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Exercise May Boost Prostate Cancer Survival

Study found that men who exercised the most had the best outcomes

From: http://www.webmd.com/prostate-cancer/news/20160418/regular-exercise-may-boost-prostate-cancer-survival?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Starting an osteoporosis drug? Here’s what you need to know

Human life expectancy has doubled since 1800. It is a tremendous success story for humankind — but each success brings more challenges to overcome. Because many people are living longer these days, one of the biggest responsibilities of modern medicine is to provide care and treatment for those diseases that become more common with increasing age. One of those diseases is osteoporosis, a thinning and weakening of the bones, which means they break more easily. They can break easily. Osteoporosis can compromise quality of life if it leads to a fracture, and complications of fracture can even lead to death.

Osteoporosis: The “silent enemy”

Osteoporosis is most common in older people, especially (but not only) in women. In many cases, it is first revealed by a sudden fracture — and by the time that happens, it is too late to go back and prevent this dreadful event, which can lead to many complications. According to an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, each year Americans suffer from 1.5 million osteoporotic fractures, resulting in more than 432,000 hospital admissions, almost 2.5 million medical office visits, and about 180,000 nursing home admissions. Medicare currently pays for approximately 80% of these fractures, with hip fractures accounting for 72% of the total cost. And because people are living longer (and are therefore more likely to get osteoporosis), the cost of osteoporosis care is expected to rise to $25.3 billion by 2025.

Why not more treatment for osteoporosis?

Despite the availability of cost-effective and well-tolerated treatments that can reduce fracture risk, only 23% of women ages 67 or older who have an osteoporosis-related fracture receive either a bone mineral density test or a prescription for an osteoporosis drug in the six months after the fracture. There are also many available options for preventing and treating osteoporosis before a woman ever experiences a fracture.

Why are so many people, especially women, not receiving osteoporosis treatment? In part because these treatments have faced multiple controversies. Many women have questions when they’re offered preventive treatment, such as: Can calcium supplements increase the risk of heart disease? What will happen to my jawbone if I take this medication? Will this pill give me esophageal cancer? And if I’m not hurting, why do I need treatment at all?

Fortunately, we have some good data to help answer these questions.

What you need to know about osteoporosis prevention and treatment

First, a few points about clinical studies in general. Every study has limitations, and we should keep them in mind while interpreting the results. For example, the population that was studied might be different from the one you belong to, so the results might not be applicable to you. Also, the number of subjects enrolled in the study and any confounding factors — other things that could influence the study results, such as lifestyle factors — should be taken into account when drawing conclusions. Despite these limitations, we have learned quite a lot about the benefits and harms of osteoporosis treatments.

To date, the consensus is that there has been no proven risk of increased cardiovascular risk with intake of calcium supplements.
Other studies have examined the risk of damage to jaw tissue with the use of bisphosphonates, one type of medication commonly used to treat osteoporosis. The risk is real, but rare. Most often, it is associated with bisphosphonates given intravenously, not taken by mouth (as most bisphosphonates are). Certain population groups are also at higher risk for necrosis than others. Talk to your doctor about your personal risk for serious bisphosphonate side effects.
Another common question is whether osteoporosis medications are harmful to your esophagus and the rest of your digestive tract. There is a risk of inflammation of the gut lining, but if you follow the directions carefully while taking the medication and follow up with your physician as directed, the risk is very small.
Because osteoporosis is a silent disease until a fracture occurs, women often question the need for treatment at all. There are guidelines and tools designed to help you and your doctor decide whether to start treatment, and as a patient, you have the right to know every detail of the treatment options being offered. One of the many available resources to get more information about this disease can be found here.

Your doctor should be able to help you decide by providing all the relevant information and explaining the major side effects of any treatment he or she recommends. From there, you should be an active participant in your own care. Weigh the risks and benefits in your own mind — and with your doctor — before you decide about treatment for osteoporosis.

The post Starting an osteoporosis drug? Here’s what you need to know appeared first on Harvard Health Blog.

From: Maneet Kaur, MD http://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/starting-an-osteoporosis-drug-heres-what-you-need-to-know-201604189463

Zika Virus: Four Myths and What You Need to Know

From: Mayo Clinic http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxlZYQwi8KQ

USDA Announces $4.7 Million Available in Grants for Food Safety Training, Outreach and Technical Assistance

WASHINGTON, April 18, 2016 – The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced the availability of $4.7 million in grants for food safety education, training, and technical assistance projects that address the needs of owners and operators of small to mid-sized farms, beginning farmers, socially-disadvantaged farmers, small processors, small fresh fruit and vegetable merchant wholesalers, food hubs, farmers’ markets, and others.

From: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?contentid=2016/04/0091.xml&contentidonly=true

Detecting dental history

Archivist investigates while going digital

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/archivist-investigates-while-going-digital

Dentists helping dentists

Peer review a member benefit that helps preserve doctor/patient relationship

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/dentists-helping-dentists

HIPAA audit cheat sheet available

An online cheat sheet is available on what the federal government will look for and require during its HIPAA compliance audits.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/hipaa-audit-cheat-sheet-available

ADA Foundation’s semi-annual grants spread smiles

In November, the ADA Foundation awarded 11 organizations across the country grants of up to $10,000, for a total of $108,376.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/ada-foundations-semiannual-grants-spread-smiles

Exercise Post-Knee Replacement May Raise This Risk

Swedish study found that people with new knees had slight uptick in spinal fractures, too

From: http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/news/20160416/getting-active-after-knee-replacement-might-raise-hip-fracture-risk?src=RSS_PUBLIC

Depression Common for Heart Attack Survivors

Swedish study found patients were often depressed, but fewer than half got treatment

From: http://www.webmd.com/heart-disease/news/20160416/depression-common-for-heart-attack-survivors-and-more-may-need-help?src=RSS_PUBLIC

This May Up Survival for Some With Breast Cancer

A decade after diagnosis, there were 20 percent fewer deaths when compared to women in usual diet group

From: http://www.webmd.com/breast-cancer/news/20160415/low-fat-diets-may-help-older-women-with-breast-cancer-survive-longer-study?src=RSS_PUBLIC

For Afghan-American dentist, Veterans' Smile Day is personal

Dr. Danishwar is giving thanks by volunteering in the past two Veterans Smile Day events, held annually around Veterans Day, to provide free to low-cost dental services to former military servicemen and women.

From: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2016-archive/april/for-afghan-american-dentist-veterans-smile-day-is-personal

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